College Football Recruiting: Tony Steward Weighing Clemson and FSU

For one of the top linebackers in the country, the decision over where to commit has been a long debate. Tony Steward, ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect on Rivals and the No. 12 overall prospect on Scout, has narrowed his list of schools down to five, but it's really a two-horse race.

Either FSU or Clemson is going to land the Saint Augustine native and it doesn't look like either has an advantage over the other after recent visits to both schools.

The five-star linebacker would be a huge addition for either program and instantly upgrade their defenses with one of the most ready-to-play recruits in the country.

So what is Steward saying? What do FSU and Clemson offer him on and off the field? Where will this saga end?

Check out the breakdown of the Tony Steward Decision.

The Clemson-FSU Seesaw

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CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 12: Andre Fluellen #96 of the Florida State Seminoles sacks Charlie Whitehurst #6 of the Clemson Tigers in the second quarter during an Atlantic Coast Conference game on November 12, 2005 at Clemson Memorial Stadium in Clemson, Sou

What Steward Brings To The Table

Potential Playing Time

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 31: Kavell Conner #33 of the Clemson Univeristy Tigers celebrates after a touchdown against the Auburn University Tigers during the Chic-Fil-A Bowl on December 31, 2007 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen

When it comes down to playing time, the situation isn't even close. At Clemson, Steward would likely start as a true freshman, but at FSU, there's no guarantees of playing time at all. 

Of course, it would be shocking if Steward didn't eventually crack the starting lineup based on his talent and potential, but this is a team that not only has a lot of good linebackers already on the team, but other recruits joining the squad as well. 

In 2011, Nigel Bradham and Nigel Carr, two of the expected starers for next season, will be seniors, but behind them are Vince Williams, Jeff Luc, C.J. Mizell, and Christian Jones; who were all highly-rated recruits coming out of high school. 

At Clemson, there are plenty of young names vying for playing time now that the school has lost two of their starters from last season, but there's no comparing the level of talent to that at FSU. The Tigers don't have any linebackers who rated nearly has high as Steward does. 

Fitting Into The System

Predicting Steward's Decision